Federal officials have begun an investigation into the California Department of Education to withhold information about their children’s gender identity from parents’ information and hold a showdown between the state and President Trump, with billions of dollars in federal funds likely to be threatened.
The investigation announced Thursday morning by the U.S. Department of Education was essentially a California law signed by Gavin Newsom in July that prohibits schools from automatically notifying families about changes in students’ gender identity and blocks teachers’ retaliation against trans-sex students’ rights – opposing interpretations of federal laws adopted by the Trump administration.
Linda McMahon, secretary of the U.S. Department of Education, said it is best to protect children if there is no information from parents.
“Teachers and school counselors should not provide counseling services to minors for advice. “This is not only immoral, but may conflict with federal law in California schools to hide important information about parents and guardians,” McMahon said in a statement. ”
The potential fine is a loss of federal funds supervised by the Department of Education. This includes $2.1 billion in annual funding to offset the impact of household poverty and $1.33 billion in impacts to help educate students with disabilities.
California Department of Education officials were unable to immediately contact for comment early Thursday morning.
Trump issued a series of anti-trans orders and policies, including directives that recognize only two biological genders, require funding for young people’s gender health care, and even putting trans people’s health insurance in bathrooms and sports teams that don’t meet sports teams that aren’t in line with their gender at birth. Trump aims at school policies aimed at supporting trans, non-binary and other gender-incompetent students, following the order to “end fundamental indoctrination in K-12 education.”
California. Rob Bonta vowed last month to defend state educators and LGBTQ+ students from the Trump administration’s threat, saying California laws that demand an inclusive school environment remain intact.
“Whatever your sexual orientation, gender identity or immigration status, California schools are and will remain a passion, inclusive and safe place for everyone,” Bonta said at the time. “The federal government does not decide what we teach, nor does it decide the course. We do this in California.”
California law prohibits “forced outings,” and has been approved by a few school boards through policies requiring educators to notify parents whether to change their names or pronouns, or students requesting use of facilities or participating in programs that do not match their gender on official records.
The “Parent Notice” policy has been divided nationwide. On the one hand, LGBTQ+ students advocates say students need (and have legal rights) to explore this personal issue in a safe space and should have the opportunity to decide when and how to tell parents. However, many parents feel they have an uncompromising right to know if their children are changing their gender identity or exploring possibilities – schools must tell them.
In her statement, McMahon suggested that parent notifications are a necessary step to prevent school staff from indoctrinating harmful.
“The agency began today’s investigation to vigorously protect parents’ rights and ensure students do not fall victim to radical transgender ideology, which often leads to family distancing and irreversible medical interventions,” McMahon said.
Many educators reject this trait – saying teachers are not trying to recruit students to change their identities. They insist that they are trying to accept students and encourage tolerance.
The Trump administration’s investigation is the latest shocking measure from the U.S. Department of Education, even in the current state of K-12 and higher education, his orders will be closed as soon as possible even under his orders.
Thursday’s action relies on the Trump administration’s interpretation of the Federal Rights to Education and Privacy Act (FERPA), which protects the privacy records of student education records through graduate schools.
The U.S. Department of Education has long been dealing with FERPA-related complaints filed by parents and others. Typically, personal information surrounding improper or underprotected is typical.
The case is different, said Madi Biedermann, a spokesman for the U.S. Department of Education.
“In the past, the conventional example of the FERPA investigation was about improper disclosure of student privacy information, which was about the lack of disclosure of privacy information, especially in order to disconnect parents from the cycle,” Bidman said.
Under FERPA, a school must provide parents with the opportunity to check and review their children’s educational records within a reasonable time, but not exceed 45 calendar days after request. Parents can also request changes to these records – if the school does not agree, ask the request to be part of the permanent record.
Senior department officials said using FERPA law enforcement authorities in this way could be “unprecedented”, although they also insist that it is within the scope of established laws.
“State laws do not exceed federal law, and educational entities receiving federal funds are subject to FERPA,” a statement from the Department of Education said. “FERPA violations may result in the termination of federal funds for educational entities.”
The alleged violation of Fairpa was part of the lawsuit, shortly after the Chino Valley Unified School District filed Newsom’s signing of California law in July.
Prior to the enactment of state laws, Southern California’s Temicula Valley, Murietta Valley and Orange areas have also adopted parent notification policies in recent years. In California, Anderson United High School District in Anderson County and Rocklin Unified and Qian Creek United Elementary School District in Price County have passed similar rules. Under the Athletic Progress Program, at least eight states have passed similar laws.
Jaweed Kaleem, a time worker, contributed to the report.
